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3rd July 2023
05:28pm BST
Robert de Niro has released a statement following the death of his 19-year-old grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.
On Monday, his adopted daughter, Drena De Niro, confirmed the tragic news of her teenage son's passing.
Leandro was the son of Drena, 51, and artist Carlos Rodriguez.
In an Instagram post on Monday, his mother wrote: “My beautiful sweet angel, I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly.
“You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you.”
Drena continued: “I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama.
“You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I’m so sorry my baby, I’m so sorry @carlosmare. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy.”
Robert has since addressed his grandson's death, saying in a statement: "'I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo.
"We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."
Leandro's cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Drena’s friends shared her heartbreak in the comments on her Instagram post.
One wrote: “This breaks my heart, my first best friend, my condolences to you and Carlos, Sending prayers and love.”
Another commenter added: “Drena, I’m so deeply sorry. Sending you an enormous amount of love, prayers and strength. May God be with you and all who love your darling boy.”
Leonardo was following in his mother and famous grandfather’s footsteps. He landed a small role in 2018’s A Star Is Born and Cabaret Maxime and 2005’s The Collection.
Drena was adopted by De Niro, and took his surname, after the actor married her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976.
Her first movie role was in Grace of My Heart in 1996 and she went on to star in several of her father’s films including 1999’s On The Run, 2002’s City By The Sea and 2002’s Showtime.
De Niro split with Drena’s mother in 1988 but the A-lister remained in her life and was made a grandfather in 2003 when she welcomed Leandro with her then-boyfriend Rodriguez.
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